Opening of Wine outlets: Fin department urges people not to fall for ‘half baked’ reports

Srinagar, Jun 21: A day after the Jammu and Kashmir administration put up a list of ‘unserved’ spots to open liquor sale points at different locations in Kashmir valley, Finance department has maintained ‘no policy decision’ been taken so far.

In a brief statement issued here, a Finance department official said Finance department has not taken any policy decision regarding issuance of fresh liquor licences in unserved areas.

“No list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved. No decision will be taken without participation of stakeholders and due process. Department urges people not to be misled by any half- baked reports in this regard”, the statement said.

According to an official document, the Excise Department has conducted a survey in exercise of the powers under rule 28 of the J&K Liquor and License Rules-1984 and Section 4 (B) of the Excise Act and identified these locations for the opening of new sale points.

The Excise Department has identified 183 new locations — 116 in Jammu and 67 in the Kashmir valley — for sale of liquor, the document reads.